IAAPA Press Releases

Wednesday August 17, 2016

Translations and Archives:

Association News

Give Kids The World Expo charity events: Golf, Ride, Run and Walk to raise fundsThree charity events to benefit Give Kids The World Village take place during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016: IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament, IAAPA Motorcycle Ride and IAAPA 5K Fun Run and 1K Walk. Register today and learn additional ways to fundraise and contribute at www.IAAPA.org/GKTWatExpo.

Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida adjusts fall operating hoursOperating hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida are set to become shorter in the fall, including closures as early as 6 p.m., in a reversal of the park's announcement of extended hours last spring. The change comes amid continued delays in the opening of the "Rivers of Light" after-dark music and light show, which was originally slated to debut in April. The park is expected to lengthen operating hours again next year with the opening of the "Pandora: The World of Avatar" land.Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (tiered subscription model)

Girl injured inside mirror maze at Wheelgate Park in EnglandA 9-year-old girl collided with a mirror inside the "Martians Mirror Maze" attraction at Wheelgate Park in Farnsfield, England. She was taken to a hospital with numerous cuts on her legs. The Health and Safety Executive is conducting an investigation of the incident. BBC

A five-story racing slide called "Tailspin Racer" is set to debut at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in May. The attraction, which will accommodate up to six riders at a time, features a high-speed first drop inside intertwined AquaTubes, followed by several curves and a traditional mat race in the final stretch. Park Communications Director Pete Owens said the slide is expected to cost about $2.2 million. WBIR-TV (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Plans for inflatable water park in Malta blocked over environmental concernsA proposed inflatable water park at Golden Bay in Mellieħa, Malta, faces opposition from non-government groups over its potential effect on the area's natural features. The proposal calls for an inflatable park covering nearly 300 square meters and is intended to draw more traffic to the beach. Mellieħa Mayor John Buttigieg said he opposes the project and is urging for environmental studies to be undertaken before the project can be considered. The Times of Malta
Other News

Indoor trampoline park coming to Osage Beach, MissouriA Get Air trampoline park planned for Osage Beach, Missouri, will feature wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, a ninja warrior course and a surfing simulator. The facility will also offer a dodgeball court, a slam dunk basketball court, a tightrope area, a balance beam, a swinging ladder, a kiddie court and a special needs area. Guests will be able to view their stunts on giant TV screens with recording devices.Lake Sun Leader (Camdenton, Mo.)

Mexican water commission allocates funds for new museumsThe National Water Commission of Mexico has allocated more than 5 million pesos for the development of two interactive museums in the state of Querétaro. The museums will feature exhibitions that will educate guests about water on the planet, global warming, water treatment and virtual water through interactive exhibits such as touch screens, recreation areas and puppet theater. A local representative for the water commission says the addition of the museums will help make guests aware of the need to care for water. Diario Rotativo (Mexico) (Spanish-language content)

Warhawk Air Museum in Idaho plans expansionThe owners of the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho, are looking to add 14,000 square feet of space to the facility to house its growing collection of memorabilia of military personnel. The project, which would involve remodeling the maintenance hangar behind the facility, is expected to cost $800,000 to $900,000. The owners are planning a fundraising campaign to support the project. Idaho Press-Tribune (Nampa)

Director of Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut disputes claims of camel maltreatmentGregg Dancho, director of the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has responded to an image posted on Facebook showing one of the zoo's camels purportedly suffering while lying down with a short leash. Calling the photo "a misleading snapshot in time," Dancho said that the camels are "pampered and happy" and that camels do like to rest by lying on their sides, though the short leash was a concern and had been fixed immediately. The camels were provided by Ohio-based Hole-in-the-Wall Farm, which was vetted by the zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Connecticut Post (Fairfield County-Bridgeport)
Other News

Study: Arlington, Texas, welcomed a record 14 million visitors in 2015Research company Longwoods Travel USA reports in a new study that a record 14 million visitors came to Arlington, Texas, in 2015 and spent about $1.4 billion. Guests spent 3.2 nights on average, providing $481 million in revenue for the city's lodging industry. Food and beverage operators collected $334 million; while retailers received $224 million; recreation and entertainment entities received $184 million and the transportation sector received $166 million. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)

The Broadmoor in Colorado opens "Fins Course" zipline tourThe Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has expanded its Soaring Adventures zipline tour with an extreme course called the "Fins Course." The five-stage course gets increasingly difficult with longer and faster lines, including a 1,800-foot-long rope that visitors cross at nearly 50 miles per hour. The course's final obstacle involves launching off a platform and rappelling down a 170-foot-high cliff.KXRM-TV/KXTU-TV (Pueblo, Colo.)
Other News